Highlights of Costa Rica & Panama

Duration: 15 days

from A$3235

Experience the highlights of Panama and Costa Rica within one fabulous trip. Pristine beaches and tropical rainforests in Tortuguero National Park, volcanoes and epic scenery in Monteverde and Arenal, and laid back charm and untouched waters in Bocas del Toro and Puerto Viejo await! Complete the trip in Panama City with its incredible canal which was recently named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World

Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Bocas del Toro with its beautiful beaches.

Explore the eclectic streets of Panama City.

Visit with the indigenous community, Embera, in Chagres National Park.

Visit one of the world's greatest engineering marvels, the iconic Panama Canal.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1: San Jose arrival transfer

Day 2: San Jose - Monteverde Cloud Forest

Day 3: Monteverde Cloud Forest

Day 4: Monteverde – Arenal Volcano

Day 5: Arenal Volcano & hot springs tour

Day 6: Arenal Volcano - Tortuguero National Park

Day 7: Tortuguero National Park excursions

Day 8: Tortuguero National Park - Puerto Viejo de Limon on
the South Caribbean coast

Day 9: Day at leisure in Puerto Viejo. Relax on the beach or
take one of the many excellent eco tours on offer

Day 10: Boat from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro Island in
Panama

Day 11: Bocas del Toro day at leisure

Day 12: Bocas del Toro – Panama City

Day 13: Panama City & Miraflores Locks Tour

Day 14: Embera Indian Village tour

Day 15: Panama City departure transfer

Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary

Tour can be offered in reverse direction

Hiring a car in Costa Rica can be a great way to
get around. Ask us about our self-drive alternative for this tour.

Day 1: San Jose Arrival

On arrival at San Jose airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

Located in the central highlands, San Jose boasts a moderate climate. Like most cities, San Jose has its good and bad sides with beautiful parks and museums, but a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains. If you have time we recommend exploring the city centre, in particular the main plaza, which is a great place to people watch.

Day 2: San Jose – Monteverde

Morning departure from San Jose to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. You will be taken on a scenic drive to Monteverde, especially toward the last portion of the journey you will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery. Monteverde is known for its diverse and rich tropical cloud forests.

Wind-sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas protected cove Monteverde cloud forests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Alpine like weather will revive the rural experience of our country this beautiful area will be your home-base for the following two nights at your selected option of hotel in Monteverde.

After checking-in, feel free to explore your new surroundings where you can find a diverse variety of activities (at an extra cost) such as: an exciting tour to the Sky Walk, which is a network of suspension bridges and trails built within the Forest, Horseback riding, Sky Trek Canopy tour, the Trapiche Tour, the Butterfly Garden, CASEM, a women's cooperative, offers incredibly designed and beautifully made handicrafts and many others for you to discover.

Breakfast included.

Day 3: Monteverde

This day is at leisure to enjoy the optional activities in the area.

If you prefer to explore the surroundings, Monteverde offers a wide range of activities ranging from the visit to the town of Santa Elena, where you will find the frog pound, the serpentarium and art galleries.

The Monteverde Train Forest is the new attraction as well the Selvatura Park that offers butterfly garden, hanging bridges, hummingbirds garden. Also, El Trapiche Tour is an excellent option for those looking for experiencing the local culture and traditions.

Breakfast included.

Day 4: Monteverde - Arenal Volcano

In the morning we will make our way to the Arenal Volcano. As you will be crossing by boat the Arenal Lake, the largest and the most important lake in Costa Rica.

The first part of the trip you will pass through Tilaran Volcanic Range where the road contrast with the mountain scenery where you can grab some handmade tortillas, fresh cup of coffee or somply relax for a few minutes before continuing to Arenal.

After descending the stunning scenery you will get to Arenal Lake, an artificial lake created to extract hydroelectric energy and habitat of several species of aquatic birds as Blue Herons or King Fishers that fish for their food in this extension of water. This place has a unique view of the volcano that in a clear day makes and beautiful contrast with this extension of water.

Once reaching our destination, you will observe a typical rural town with the facilities of a touristic focus and offer different kind of possibilities and activities to do. Arriving to your hotel, you will see Arenal volcano decorating the environment becoming this place a unique destination.of pastures, some pictures that have to be in your camera and your memories.Evening at leisure.

Breakfast included.

Day 5: Arenal Volcano

This morning is at your leisure. This beautiful and diverse region holds an abundance of incredible experiences for all to enjoy, from adrenalin adventure activities to more relaxed, leisurely walks and hot springs.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a visit to the Arenal Volcano, where you will observe the natural beauty of flowers, lush vegetation, howler monkeys and exotic birds as you walk along the beautiful trails. Later, you will have the chance to unwind in the natural hot springs with views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. This experience finishes with a delicious meal before we transfer you back to your hotel.

Breakfast and dinner included

Day 6: Arenal Volcano - Tortuguero National Park

We’ll get an early start for a transfer from Arenal Volcano to the canals of Tortuguero National Park by coach through banana plantations and lush forests. As we approach the coast you will notice a change in the climate as the weather becomes warmer and more humid. A two hour boat ride to your lodge will take you through the canals, surrounded by lush rainforest, where you will have the chance to see different birds.

Upon arrival, there will be a short briefing of the lodge and the activities included during your stay, followed by lunch.

This afternoon you have a choice of wildlife excursions. In the evening, if you are lucky, you will have the opportunity to witness the Green sea turtles nesting on the beach (between July-September only).

Breakfast, dinner included.

Day 7: Tortuguero National Park Excursions

Tortuguero is a great place for ecotourism lovers. During this day, depending on the weather conditions, you can enjoy a guided hike through the jungle to learn about its wide arrange of flora and fauna or explore the canals of Tortuguero in search of caimans, tropical water birds, howler, iguanas and capuchins monkeys.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.

Day 8: Tortuguero National Park - Puerto Viejo de Limon on the South Caribbean coast

After breakfast you will be transferred south to Puerto Viejo de Limon, a region that will welcome you with the traditional style of Caribbean culture and a relaxing beach atmosphere.

Breakfast included.

Day 9: Puerto Viejo De Limon

Day at leisure in Puerto Viejo. Relax on one of its many beaches, go snorkelling, visit the local wildlife refuge or take a walk through one of the many nature reserves in search of howler monkeys and sloths which are common in this area.

In the evening you can dance the night away to reggae and calypso at one of the many beachside bars or relax in the silence of your eco lodge.

Breakfast included.

Day 10: Boat from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro Island (Panama)

After some days of enjoy Caribbean Beaches you will take your transportation Bocas del Toro, Panama. In the route you will be transferred to the border where you will complete migration procedures and be taken by a boat to Bocas del Toro where you will continue your Central American adventure.

Breakfast included.

Day 11: Bocas del Toro day at leisure

Breakfasts will be served at the hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure. The South Caribbean is rich in culture and activities: snorkeling, boat tours, dolphin-viewing, canopy, turtle nesting, kayaking, just to name some of the optional activities. You can relax on the magnificent jungle beaches and its golden sand, or you can walk through the peaceful fishermen villages with its typical Caribbean architecture of small colorful wooden houses. Don’t forget to try the great Caribbean cuisine and its exotic flavors and spices while the rhythms of their music complement this unforgettable experience.

Breakfast included.

Day 12: Bocas del Toro – Panama City

A representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Bocas del Toro airport for your departure flight. On arrival at Tocumen airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 13: Panama City & Miraflores Locks Tour

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel and a scenic drive through the modern area of town as you wind your way toward Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial quarter. Here you will admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. You will learn about Panama’s interesting history as we visit some of the highlights of this colonial district including the Cathedral, the golden Altar, French Plaza and the Huertas Passway.

Next, you'll travel to the famous Panama Canal and the Miraflores Locks where you can watch vessels as they travel through the locks. Your tour includes admission to the Visitors Centre, where you can learn about the construction and history of the canal and its significance for Panama. After the visit to the Canal you will continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views on the Canal on one side and on the skyline of Panama City on the other side.

*For an additional cost this tour can be upgraded to a partial or full transit of the Panama Canal, traversing Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Upgrade options are available most Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays.

Breakfast included.

Day 14: Embera Indian Village

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you north toward Lake Alajuela. There you will board a motorised canoe to take you deep into the Chagres rainforest to an Embera Drua community. The park’s protected waters supply nearly 80% of Panama City’s drinking water. The canoe then will take you to an Embera settlement. Let these intriguing and inviting people introduce you to their culture as they share their knowledge of botany, craftsmanship, and traditional music and dance. Try Embera’s traditional body painting that colours the skin with the purplish juice from a jagua fruit. Then, a traditional lunch of fish and plantains prepared by the Embera women will be served to you. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to shop for handicrafts and take a guided tour of the tropical park.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 15: Panama City departure transfer

A representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Tocumen airport for your departure flight.